Depending on who you ask, you might be surprised to learn that there are quite a few countries that are considered underdogs at the FIFA World Cup 2022. These include Switzerland, Japan, Tunisia, Iran, and Uruguay. Each of these teams will have a chance to take home a surprise package from the tournament this winter.
Tunisia
Despite their underdog status, Tunisia could surprise the world and reach the World Cup finals. Their opponents in Group D include the reigning champions France and Australia. This team is packed with household names and can surprise the top sides in the tournament.
Tunisia has made the second round of qualifying for the tournament. They won the first leg in Mali 1-0, then drew the second leg 2-2 in Tunis. They then defeated Egypt in a playoff. They are ranked 18th in the FIFA World Rankings.
The team is led by Jalal Kadri, who was the assistant manager of Mondher Kebaier at the 2018 World Cup. He played in the Tunisia national team from 2006 to 2010. He joined Raja Athletic on September 24.
The team also features Ellyes Skhiri, who scored three goals and received 47 caps. He won the Tunisian Footballer of the Year award in 2021.
Senegal is another team that could surprise the world. They are ranked as the top African team in the 2022 World Cup. They are also drawn in Group G. They will face Denmark, Australia, and France in November.
The Netherlands is also in Group G. They are the top-ranked team in the World Cup qualifiers. They are a formidable team. They have a strong defense with Denis Odoi and Alexander Djiku. They also have a very talented midfield with Daniel Amartey, Joseph Aidoo, and Gideon Mensah.
Iran
Having never been past the second round of a World Cup, Iran has never qualified for the knockout stages of a World Cup. Currently ranked 20th in the world, Iran has a good chance of securing at least one draw at the 2022 World Cup. However, the team faces a tough challenge in Group B, where they will face England, Wales, and the USA.
Despite the team’s underdog status, they have a strong group of players in their prime. In fact, the first eleven are physically and mentally prepared for the grand stage.
Iran has an experienced and natural left defender, Ehsan Hajsafi. He has a physical presence and can be a threat on breakaways. He also has great attacking ability and can be a winger or play in the center. He also has excellent aerial mobility and a low center of gravity.
The lethal striker is Mehdi Taremi. He is 6’2” and has a good shot ratio of 41/98. He has also been a lethal weapon in the Champions League, scoring 12 assists in the most recent season.
Iran will be led by coach Carlos Queiroz, who has been in charge of the team for two world cups. He managed Iran to a draw against Portugal in Russia in 2018. He also managed the team to a draw against Argentina in 2014.
The Iranian team is expected to show no celebrations during the process of the World Cup. However, fans will travel to the team’s base in Qatar to support the team.
Ghana
Despite the fact that Ghana is the lowest-ranked team in this year’s tournament, the African nation has a good chance of doing well in Qatar. This was highlighted in the country’s impressive run in qualifying matches.
The technical staff’s selection of a compact 26-man squad reflected a high level of performance at the club level. They also considered tactical discipline and consistency in national team games. Despite a difficult start to the campaign, the team has bounced back, beating Nicaragua 1-0 and Brazil 0-3 in September.
Coach Addo believes a learning curve will help the team in Qatar. He will be leading the team’s first World Cup campaign. He has been to the Mundial as a player and scout. He also believes that consistency in player selection is the key to success.
Ghana’s group is filled with players with the potential to make an impact in Qatar. The line-up includes Joseph Aidoo, Gideon Mensah, Daniel Amartey, and Mohammed Salisu. The team also boasts a strong midfield.
Senegal is also a strong contender. They are a storied African team that has a rich history. Their 2002 World Cup campaign was a real highlight. They made it to the final eight of the tournament, defeating Brazil in the final. They are also a strong contender for reaching the round of 16. The lions of Teranga have a lot to prove in this tournament.
Switzerland
Unlike most football tournaments, the FIFA World Cup 2022 is not going to be as predictable. It will have many unexpected elements. Luckily, for those looking to cash in, there are some teams to watch out for.
Belgium is one of the most recognizable teams to win the trophy, but could they pull off the ultimate feat? Certainly, they’re in a good position to do so, but it’s not likely. They also have a tough group in which to do so and could easily fall out of the competition before even making the quarter-finals.
Switzerland is another surprise package to watch. They’ve been a punching bag for European soccer in the past, but have emerged as one of the best. They have a young and talented squad, with a few notable names. And they’re a good bet to make it to the World Cup.
Switzerland has the star power to make an impression at the World Cup. Their team has a nice balance of experienced players and young, talented players. And they’ve got a solid manager. But their biggest problem is a lack of forwards.
Belgium is not going to win the World Cup, but they could make a decent showing. They’re not the strongest team in their group, and they have some talented players.
Switzerland’s Group D has some stiff competition, including defending World Cup champions France. It’s a tough group, but they’ve got some impressive players and a decent manager.
Uruguay
Despite a few missteps and a disastrous opening game against Colombia, Uruguay looks like a good bet to win the group. They should be able to beat Ghana and South Korea to finish on top of the group. They could face Serbia or Switzerland. They aren’t the favorites, but they have a system in place to win a World Cup.
Uruguay is a small, 3.5 million population country in southern Latin America. Uruguay’s economy grew 4.4% in 2021. It’s one of the most socially stable countries in the region. Its middle class is one of the largest in the country. It has a solid social contract and a solid pension system. It’s also politically stable.
Uruguay has been one of the most surprising teams at World Cups. They have had deep runs. They were the closest surprise winner in tournament history. They beat Italy and England in the group stage and reached the semi-finals. In 2010, they reached the semi-finals. But Uruguay didn’t have the firepower to go with their physical style of play. They packed the middle of the pitch, hoping that their star players would provide some magic.
They have a well-structured defensive system. The players have a good social contract and they are committed to social protection matters. Their pension system covers 90% of the population.
Uruguay has had a strong economy in recent years. The country’s GDP was expected to grow by 2.7% in 2023. It’s expected to continue growing at that rate until 2021, but then it’s expected to slow down.
Japan
Despite Japan’s mediocre performance at the Confederations Cup, the island nation has a lot to offer the global football community. It has a history of being a footballing powerhouse but has not looked particularly hot in recent months.
The country has a unique culture, which dates back millennia, and has been attracted to various foreign cultures. The country has also adopted modern trends and fashions.
The country has a very strong work ethic, making life in the cities very hectic. This is reflected in their famous origami art. The Erzurum paper cranes that are used in Japan symbolize wishes and wishes in this case.
There is much more to Japan’s soccer achievements than just reaching the quarter-finals in 2002. The nation has been a qualifier for every World Cup since then, including last year’s competition. However, the team has also been a regular contender for the title of the most exciting team at the Confederations Cup.
The nation is well-equipped to compete in its group. The country has a good chance of advancing from its group. However, there are other teams that might be able to upset the Japanese.
Senegal, a country that made a surprise World Cup appearance in 2002, is also a team to watch. They are one of the top African teams in 2022. The defending AFCON champions are in Group A, alongside Ecuador and Qatar.
Conclusion
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching, and as the tournament nears, many teams are starting to prepare for the biggest stage of their careers. However, no team is more under the microscope than those who will be competing in Group A – an arguably weaker group that includes Australia, Chile, and Thailand. While most pundits have written these teams off, there are a few squads that could surprise this winter and make a run at qualification.
